"Our experience shows us that these young children are normal children endowed with normal qualities and failings. Let us give them a chance and the means to cultivate these natural gifts while we endeavor to cure some of their failings." Father Joseph Simon of Timkatec

May 28, 2010 Update

SUCCESS STORY AMID THE HAITIAN RUBBLE—TIMKATEC OPENED MARCH 1 WITH 180 KIDS, HAD 304 BY APRIL 1 AND 500 PLUS BY MAY 15-GREAT SUCCESS AND GREAT CHALLENGES.

Dear Friends of Timkatec:

The three Timkatec Schools — January-April four month report

The attention of the world has gone elsewhere as Haiti struggles to recover from the historic earthquake. No other country has suffered such a dramatic natural disaster in a century when the size of Haiti's population is considered. 3% of the 9 million population died, a like number suffered injury and illness and an estimated 20% are homeless.

In the midst of this chaos Father Simon and the staff of the three Timkatec schools try to bring a modicum of relief and normalcy to a small part of the juvenile population.

This report was just received from Father Simon and conveys in his words the situation, and challenges he is facing. Timkatec unlike most schools was almost untouched by the quake. Not so its staff and students. I have tried in the translation to capture his description of situations and conditions:

Timkatec schools opened 5 weeks before any other in the Port au Prince area.

About 150 students and employees remain unaccounted and have been replaced among the thousands of newly homeless, so we are back to about 500.

Medical treatment especially for the girls is a significant new unplanned expense.

A psychologist is on staff to advise the kids facing ever new challenges. Many suffer post-traumatic stress as shocks still occur every few days.

Almost all residents including those at Timkatec 1 still sleep outside.

The need to assist staff in a minimum housing and clothing situation so that they can discharge their duties is another unplanned expense.

The water and fuel situation is critical and expensive. Food while available is 15-25% higher in costs.

While Timkatec is operating and doing a good job doing so, every aspect of the operation is much more difficult, time consuming and expensive. Father reports that every day he confronts these broken lives, people attempting to rebuild buildings, and the moral and physical rebuilding of the lives of hundreds of young people who suffer daily from their losses. As adults we address our own mental and human situation by trying to make a simple solution for all? In this circumstance there are no easy solutions. He reports about some who lie to him, who only looks out for themselves, almost like in the animal kingdom, trying to grab the biggest piece, to swallow it quickly and return for more without any consideration for their neighbor.

This is the survival of the fittest and Father Simon is trying to spiritually influence at least the 500 or so youngsters to rebuild their lives and moral character. He says:

The first aid came from The Friends of Timkatec in America and CRS, and The Jasmine Foundation of Canada. Once in our hands it became almost dangerous, with the danger of kidnapping. Money transfers create curiosity and visibility. You can guess what I mean.

An exhausted Fr Simon and CRS representative during food delivery

The children of Timkatec recieve food in this difficult time

Immediately after the event, we were receiving water in quantity. But for some time, each week we must buy trucked water, 3 times weekly at $ 50 each truck for Timkatec 2. In removing the rubble, many city pipes are broken, so we buy water to drink. As regards water it is like the prehistoric times- we wait for rain-nature obliges us by disbursements of water. So the budget for water remains in the Bank pending this happening. This was not a question of slowness, but to allow a logical succession to each thing.

Much of the support has gone and so many have nothing and now support passes Timkatec by. Yet many of the poor still come to us to give them a little care especially when they are reduced to almost nothing. There are circumstances beyond us. More of these daily needs are coming to a head now as the support is reducing

In May we will open the shelter for the "street children", 30 of whom will come between 6 and 7 PM daily and leave the next day before 7 a.m.

We will send you details of their inclusion in the Timkatec 3. The choice of their supervisor and the psychologist is not easy. Above all we need educated employees, but very balanced humanely. This last quality goes above all else.

He continues with more financial details and plans. He hopes to have the Timkatec 2 Graduation on July 31, 2010 and we plan to attend.

Dear Friends of Timkatec, the need is greater than ever. While Timkatec has one of the best trained, experienced and qualified staffs to help street kids to change their lives and become independent through education and training, the recent challenges are straining even Father Simon's outstanding management capabilities. He needs our help.

Best regards

Timkatec France

Timkatec France is a group formed by Sophie Beaupère, in Paris. Sophie has worked in Haiti at an orphanage and also at Timkatec, and on her return to France continues to raise funds for Father Simon.